Zoomorphic brooches were a staple of Romano-British jewellery culture in the 1st-3rd Centuries and drew on both real and mythical creatures for inspiration. Common subjects included horses, boars, dogs, hares, and a variety of different birds. This examples takes the form of a duck and likely was a representation of native wildlife encountered at the time. It was discovered during excavations at the Rodings in Essex, UK, and although not identical, it can be likened to other duck brooches from around the country to provide some more insight about its function.
The Rodings excavations took place with the widening of the M25 between junctions 27-30. A series of 29 sites were excavated, along a route that intersected the districts of Epping Forest, Brentwood and Thurrock. Settlements were excavated from the Middle Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods, providing valuable insight into daily life in Britain.
